KNOXVILLE, Tennessee – In front of a record 5,677 spectators at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Saturday night, No. 5/5 Tennessee defeated No. 22/NR Georgia 16-11 thanks to clutch hitting performances from a few Volunteers.
Throughout the evening, the two heavyweights traded blows, accumulating 29 hits and eight home runs between them.
Dylan Dreiling, a sophomore outfielder, launched his first of two huge home runs of the game in the bottom of the first inning, giving the Vols (23-5, 4-4 SEC) an early lead of three runs.
The advantage did not last long, though, as the Bulldogs (22-5, 4-4 SEC) quickly caught up, scoring seven runs in the third inning.
assume the initiative. Charlie Condon’s two-run home run and Sebastian Murillo’s three-run blast closed out the inning for Georgia.
Blake Burke responded with a solo home run of his own to start the bottom of the third. It was his 40th career home run and his 10th of the season, tying him for the record at UT with his first base predecessor, Luc Lipcius.
Dean Curley’s RBI double broke the tie, and two batters later, Reese Chapman increased the lead with an RBI walk. Dalton Bargo led off UT’s big fifth inning with a single after pinch hitting for him earlier in the game. He then put the Vols ahead 16–10 with his first-career grand slam.
In the top of the ninth, Condon added his second long ball of the evening, but that was the closest the Dawgs would come as Nate Snead shut the door with a strikeout to end the contest. Though UGA lost, Condon led the team in hitting with five hits and three RBIs on another strong night.
For the Vols, veteran lefty Kirby Connell was outstanding.
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